Is the concept of "purgatory" based on anything in the Bible?

“Nevertheless, scripture indicates that all old covenant souls, both righteous and wicked, enter sheol: “one fate comes to all, to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil” (Ecclesiastes 9:2). Without regard to one’s state in life, the Old Testament message was that in death it is “sheol to which you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Thus, despite the presence of the righteous in sheol, it must be noted that some English translations will emphasize the presence of the wicked and translate “sheol” as “hell.”

Now, despite the poetic nature of Ecclesiastes, its description of sheol is confirmed by Paul who states that the Old Testament people of God “died in faith, not having received what was promised” and so waited in sheol for what was promised: “a better country, that is, a heavenly one” (Hebrews 11:13.16). Thus even the righteous ”[King] David did not ascend into the heavens” (Acts 2:34). ”

“But this all changed with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ “since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they [in sheol] should not be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:40). Thus, Jesus took the righteous from sheol and left the rest. How did this happen?

After Jesus “was put to death in the flesh” (1st Peter 3:18), he “descended into the lower parts of the earth [sheol]” (Ephesians 4:10) to “preach to the spirits in prison” (1st Peter 3:19), namely the righteous men whose knees “bow…under the earth” (Phillipians 2:10) such that the “gospel was preached even to the dead” (1st Peter 4:6). Fulfilling the promise “the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God…all who are in the tombs will hear” (John 5:25.28). Afterword, regarding these righteous men of sheol, “when [Jesus] ascended on high he led a host of captives” (Ephesians 4:8) immediately making Jesus the “firstborn of the dead.” (Collosians 1:17). ”

“But what happened to sheol after this? Some say it disappeared. But what does Scripture say? Jesus says “I hold the keys to death and the netherworld [sheol]” (Revelations 1:18 – sheol in Greek is hades). Jesus is not holding the keys to something that no longer exists, but to something that still exists. But if it still exists, what is it for? Do any souls still go to sheol even after Jesus’ resurrection? If so, are any of these souls righteous? ”

“In Revelation 20:4, we see the superlatively righteous as coming to life during the first resurrection: “the souls of those who had been beheaded…they came to life and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” We are also told that “The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were over.” These remaining people are said to come from sheol: “then Death and Hades [sheol] gave up the dead in them” (Revelation 20:13). This then answers a previous question; there are indeed souls that still go to sheol even after Jesus’ resurrection.

Now, some might claim that this “hades” or “sheol” of Revelation 20:13 is actually hell itself. However, Revelation 20:14 states “Then Death and Hades were thrown in the lake of fire [Hell].” This proves that this sheol is not the same thing as hell itself. ”

“Thus, those whose names were in the book of life did not go to Hell! These remaining people were among the saved! It thus holds ipso facto that there is a place, neither heaven nor hell, which does indeed detain some number of righteous souls before entrance into heaven. For the remainder of this discussion, this detainment will be called by its common Christian name “Purgatory” rather than sheol.”

Catholic Source

@joyous, welcome to fluther! Might want to be careful of those typos.

@marinelife thanks for the detailed answer. I appreciate it.

@joyous I’m sorry, but your answer is unintelligible, between the use of CapsLock and the grammar and spelling errors. I can’t even tell if you actually tried to answer the question I asked, or just wanted to preach in general. Please take another stab at it, taking the time to type like an adult. Thank you!

There is nothing in the Bible that clearly says Purgatory exists. The concept of Purgatory arose because people prayed for the souls of the dead. Now if those souls were already in Heaven or in Hell then such prayers would serve no purpose therefore it was considered that there must be a Purgatory.

Absolutely not. Hell and purgatory are non-biblical themes, and are the greatest source of turning people away from God. The bible clearly teaches that death is a state of unconsciousness, and that the dead will remain unconscious until either resurrected and taken to heaven, or remain unconscious for eternity.

@Harold @flutherother how do your stances reconcile with the biblical citations and interpretations that @marinelife found?

@MrItty It is a question of semantics and interpretation because there is no clear statement in the Bible that Purgatory exists.

@MrItty – I can quote plenty of scripture to say the opposite, but I don’t believe fluther is the place to do it. I am happy to send to you in a private message if you’re interested. The ones quoted above are all misinterpreted or taken out of context.

@Harold…. how, exactly, is Fluther not the place to do it? Fluther is where I asked the question. Fluther is where it should be answered.

@MrItty – I don’t think it is the place to preach. However, since you ask…....

Ecclesiastes 9:5 (New International Version, ©2010)

For the living know that they will die,
but the dead know nothing;
they have no further reward,
and even their name is forgotten.

Ezekiel 18:20 (New King James Version)

The soul who sins shall die.

Malachi 4:1 (New King James Version)

“For behold, the day is coming,
Burning like an oven,
And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble.
And the day which is coming shall burn them up,”
Says the LORD of hosts,
“ That will leave them neither root nor branch.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (New King James Version)

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.

2 Peter 2:6 (New King James Version)
.... and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly;

Sodom and Gomorrah are an example of what happens to those who are not saved- they are no longer burning, but are “ashes”. The fire burned until its job was done.

Psalm 6:5 (New King James Version)

For in death there is no remembrance of You;
In the grave who will give You thanks?

Psalm 31:17 (New King James Version)

Do not let me be ashamed, O LORD, for I have called upon You;
Let the wicked be ashamed;
Let them be silent in the grave.

From all of these passages, it is quite clear that there is no consciousness in death. So, what happens when one dies? They remain in a state of “sleep”, until the return of Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4:15–18 (New King James Version)

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

So what are the places that the bible refers to as Hell, Sheol, etc? These are all words for the grave, the hole in the ground where dead people go. If you read Marine Life’s passges with this in mind, they all make sense.

What does the bible mean when it says the fires of hell will burn forever and ever? Simply until its job is done. It will burn until the unsaved are destroyed, and then go out.

The bible is very clear that God is a God of love. This is entirely contradictory with the concept of eternal torture.

I hope this makes sense, and that you can see how unscriptural the teachings of hell and purgatory are. Happy to answer any questions or contradictions you might have.

@Harold thank you for your detailed response as well. And I don’t consider it preaching, unless you’re trying to “convert” me. I consider it answering a direct question I asked.

There is more than one death that is spoken of. But the mortal death the body is laid to rest and the spirit goes to either of two places paradise or spirt prison (purgatory). This is from my own personal experience and information from the Bible supports this but it does not say it specifically. As with most of the Bible many hidden understandings and parables. Ask and ye shall receive knock and it will be opened to you.

@Summum – the meaning of the bible on this is very clear- it is not hidden in any way. The bible is very clear that death is a state of unconsciousness. I would be interested to read your personal experience if you are willing to share it, as I find it very hard to believe.

No @Harold I’ve given up on trying to give others some understanding that I have aquired. It is of no use and always reveresed and put in a totally different way than I was presenting it. So I’m done trying to share anything of my experiences with most others especially in a stie like this one. To many bashers here to even try to express oneself unless you agree with them. It has been a good lesson and eye opener though.